Camp Billy Gibbons

Most High Order of the Donkey

1968 - 2007

There were different certificates
made during the time the "Most High Order of the Donkey" was used at Camp
Billy Gibbons. Here are two samples.

Looking for a way to entice
workers to come out to Camp Billy Gibbons to work on projects and get the
camp ready to open for the summer camp season, the Comanche Trail Council
developed the "Most High Order of the Donkey." A ceremony was devised,
letters sent out to prospect workers, and the first "Donkey Day" was held
on May 18, 1968 at Camp Billy Gibbons.

A special certificate was
printed up to give out to the workers who qualified for membership in the
Order by working eight hours. Later, the ceremony was dropped and
a smaller wallet size certificate was issued. The ceremony was dropped
in 1991 when harassment became part of the national scene and women became
involved in Donkey Day.

Many thousands of man-hours
have been spent on Donkey Day repairing program equipment, doing maintenance
work, adding new facilities, cutting brush, painting, sweeping, cleaning,
and in general getting the camp in tip top shape for the boys that were
to spend a week in camp that summer. Donkey Day has generally been
held in May of each year.

Our hats are off to all those
who come to Donkey Day and help work. Oh, did I mention, all the
great fellowship that also was a part of that special day.

.

CEREMONYMOST HIGH ORDER OF THE
DONKEY

INTRODUCTION: The candidates
will enter the sacred circle by two's. Each man will hold on to the rope
with one hand as it is passed between them. They will be led into a circle
in complete silence.

1ST KEEPER Most High
Donkey, ,these lowly beasts of burden are before you and wait for the tests
that lead to acceptance into our circle.

The Keepers of the shoes
come forward and install with fanfare the "Donkey Ears" on the Most High
Donkey.

MHD: My Keepers of the Shoes,
are all those lowly beasts of burden friends of boyhood, and great lovers
of Camp Billy Gibbons (Keepers scurry around the circle and return
to MHD)

1ST KEEPER: Most High Donkey,
we have searched the circle and find all these men to be friends of boyhood
and great lovers of Camp Billy Gibbons.

MHD: Have they all
taken the bit in the mouth, put the shoulder to the tasks at hand in the
prescribed manner for the eight hours of .toil?

2ND KEEPER: Most High
Donkey we have checked the records, examined their hooves, and can verify
their labor, too often slow and in a surly manner, has been completed.

MHD: Do they hold forth
the spirit of. the Scout Law?

1ST KEEPER: Most High
Donkey, they do show evidence of the spirit. of the Scout Law.

MHD : Then let the rites
of induction begin. 1st Keeper, 'instruct these lowly ones in the recognition
of the members of our order so .that they may know and respect these ranks.

1ST KEEPER: First, lowly
ones, there is one and only Most High Donkey. Know ye him by his ears...his
proud braying...and by the labors he does not do. Next, lowly one, re-cognize
the Tail Pullers, the leaders of our crews.They are most easily distinguished
by the labors they get others to do. In the field, they are most frequently
spotted by their braying and talking and by their usual location around
the water barrel or the mess hall. Next, neophytes, recognize the Packers.
They are known not by what they pack but by their load they place on others.
Often they bray for sympathy and understanding. Give not them this sympathy
else you take his burden to yourself. Next, the Hay Burners, noble beasts
of our order, they labor early and late to see that you have full bellies
for the tasks that lie ahead. Kid them not else you go without. The identification
has been made, Oh Most High Donkey.

MHD Keeper of the papers,
tell them now of our glorious history that the bit in their mouths may
feel softer and their burdens lighter.

2ND KEEPER: In the long past
when the sun first rose in the east, we sprang from the womb destined to
be servants of all. Note our long ears... they were made that way to listen
to the tales of woe that others had. Our bodies were made strong to endure
the labors on behalf of others. Our skins were made tough to turn aside
the jeers and threats of others while we shoulder the burdens of this life.
Our disposition leads us to be slow to anger, patient of mind while plodding
ever onward and upward. Our hooves were made hard and sharp to climb over
the obstacles of this life and to give us the sure footedness required
of our tasks. Our voices were made to be heard when needed and, so recognized
by all.

MHD: My heart is warmed by
your words. Rest easy, Oh Beasts of Burdens. It is fitting here that we
put some of you to the test of your faith and. your heritage. My lowly
ones, is it not fitting here that wee call forth some of our Packers and
Tail Pullers to let them take the test of tests in your name. All in favor
say "Hee-Haw".

CALL OUT:My. Keepers of the Shoes,
give each of these chosen ones a small token to remind them that all of
us share a very heavy burden. (Give rock to each one). Now, Packers, and
Pullers, you who smile and grin, know that before your are cups filled..
you know not what is in each of them. This is to remind you that life is
filled with sweet experiences and also some very bitter ones! You know
not which is your lot until you partake of life's experiences. So, now,
TAKE, DRINK, DRINK HEARTILY. I say.. this is life, eh?

Now the last test of tests...get
on all fours and face your Most High Donkey, 1st Keeper, blindfold
each of them. 2nd Keeper, bring on the final test. (Put saddle
over 1st one..then next one, etc.)

Now, my lowly beasts of burden,
are your hearts warmed by this sight? Let me know by your voices of donkeys
of your approval. Are these: Packers and Pullers worthy to be beasts of
burden like yourselves? Does it fit? (cheer. ..bray)

You have done well, my Packers
and Pullers, you have earned your rights and privileges in our order.
Tonight you too looked like an ass.

DO:Now neophytes, weary of
body and patient of, soul, assume the position of the donkey...on all fours,
put the bit in your mouths, grasp the lead rope. Repeat after me the oath
of the sacred order.

(In Unison) I _____
being weary of body, weak of mind, and humble of spirit, do at this moment
feel like an ASS. I have labored long, in this service in the name of Scouting,
and I am a registered Scouter. I promise to keep this spirit of the
donkey ever in my heart and when the sun of the springtime warms my back
once again and the winds of the South carry the braying of the donkey.
I will return again to shoulder this burden of love...so help me, John
and if you catch me, Paul.

Arise, my donkeys, remove
your bits and your ropes. Tonight, remember, each of you has indeed labored
long and faithfully in many jobs and some lowly jobs, too. As you
stand erect, you stand a little bit taller in the thought that what you
have done today will be long remembered by all and shared by boys in the
years ahead. This sharing of labors...this giving of yourselves...is a
legacy given to you by those who went before you and must be given to those
are to come after.

Do not let this stop here.
I remind you each that when the sun of the spring warms your backs and
the winds of' the South call, it is your time to return.

God, go with you, God keep
you in His love, and Good Night, Scouters.

- end -

This was the first letter
sent out to a select group of Scouters inviting them to become a member
of "The "Most High Order of the Donkey"

MEMBERSHIPINVITATION

THE COMANCHE TRAIL COUNCIL "CHAPTER"
OF THIS OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION WILL BE

FOUNDED ON SATURDAY, MAY
18, 1968, AT CAMP BILLY GIBBONS. THIS IS YOUR "ONCE IN

A LIFETIME" OPPORTUNITY TO
BE A CHARTER MEMBER OF A VERY EXCLUSIVE GROUP OF MEN!

HOW TO JOIN? CALL ON ONE
OF THE MEN LISTED BELOW FOR ASSIGNMENT. THESE MEN ARE

TO BE OUR "TAIL PULLERS"
FOR THIS ILLUSTRIOUS DAY AND EVENING. THEY WILL GIVE

OUR "HAY BURNERS" (food service
group) WILL BE HEADED BY W. DOYLE GRAVES OF BLUFF DALE. ANY SCOUTERS WISHING
TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS GROUP SHOULD CONTACT MR. GRAVES: HIS CREW WILL BE
LIMITED TO THOSE UNABLE TO PERFORM OTHER OUTDOOR LABOR AND THOSE WITH SPECIALSKILLS ---A MOST VITAL GROUP.

DETAILS: BE AT CAMP
BILLY GIBBONS NOT LATER THAN 8: 30 am, SATURDAY, MAY 18 WITH YOUR WORK
CLOTHES ON. BRING TOOLS, ETC. AS DEFINED BY YOUR "TAIL PULLER" LUNCH AND
SUPPER WILL BE PROVIDED. YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME FRIDAY NIGHT AND FISH,
BUT BRING YOUR OWN GRUB FOR EVENING AND SATURDAY BREAKFAST! WE WILL
BE FINISHED (INITIATION AND ALL) BY 9: 00 pm, SATURDAY NIGHT!

YOUR BOYS AND THEIR CAMP
VITALLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS MATTER! COME ONE, COME ALL FOR A WONDERFUL
SATURDAY OF MOST GRATIFYING LABOR AND FELLOWSHIP ON BEHALF OF OUR BOYS!

OH, MOST HIGH, I AM PLANNING
TO JOIN THE WONDERFUL FELLOWSHIP OF THE ORDER ON MAY18TH HAVE CONTACTED "TAIL
PULLER" _______________________FOR DETAILS; ADD MY MARKS (UU)TO HIS LIST: TELL
THE "HAY BURNERS" TO SAVE A BALE FOR ME: